Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Analysis of the mobile phone effect on the heart rate variability by using the largest Lyapunov exponent med./bio.

Published in: J Med Syst 2010; 34 (6): 1097-1103

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To examine the effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones (GSM 900) on the heart rate variability.

Background/further details

Sixteen healthy volunteers (10 male, 6 female) were exposed to electromagnetic fields at two levels: 1.) very low electromagnetic field as a control (mobile phone at stand-by) and 2.) higher electromagnetic field as real exposure (mobile phone at pre-ring and ringing). There were three experimental periods, each lasting 7 minutes. Eight of the probands were exposed to the high electromagnetic field during the second period and the other eight probands during the third period. During the other periods, the mobile phone was set to stand-by. The probands were not aware of the order.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: 21 minutes (7 minutes real exposure and 2 x 7 minutes exposure by standy-by mode)
  • SAR: 0.56 W/kg (manufacturer's data)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 21 minutes (7 minutes real exposure and 2 x 7 minutes exposure by standy-by mode)
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber the experiment was performed in a laboratory on the fourth floor and the distance from the nearest mobile phone base station was about 150 m
Setup the mobile phone, attached to the subject's right ear by a bone, was called from another mobile phone in a different room sequentially at thirty second intervals
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.56 W/kg - - - manufacturer's data

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data of the non-linear analysis showed a significant change of the heart rate variability signals under real exposure compared to stand-by exposure, indicating an increase in the complexity of cardiovascular system behavior.
The results suggest that the chaotic dynamics of the heart rate variability signals are affected by the electromagnetic field emitted by a mobile phone.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles